Tank for gasolene, &amp;c.



A. A. AUGUSTUS. TANK FOR GASOLENE, 6m. APPLICATION rmm nov. 22. 1901.

930,334. Patented Aug. 10, 1909.

%izzessesx .znvntav (5. GE. 62mm. y f3. 3

ALBERT A. AUGUSTUS, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

TANK FOR GASOLENE, &e.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 10, 1909.

Application filed November 22, 1907. Serial No. 403,2 72.

To all whom it may concern:-

Be it known that I, ALBERT A. AUGUSTUS, a citizen of the United States, resident of Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Imrovement in Tanks for Gasolene or the Like, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

As indicated, this invention relates to tanks, or like receptacles, for the transportation and storage of gasolene and other more or less highly explosive liquids or substances.

Said invention relates more particularly to the construction of tanks of the character named, such as are used on automobiles, launches, and the like, in conjunction with gasolene or other internal combustion mo- In both of these situations, but more 7 tors. especially in the latter, explosions are not infrequent arising from accidental ignition of the contents of the storage tank wherein is contained the stock of fuel. In the case of the'launch, as will be evident, such an explosion is a very serious matter, indeed, entailing almost always the destruction of the lives of the occupants of the boat or launch. j

The object therefore of my resent construetion of tank is the elimination to a material degree of the dangers thus present, where a fuel of the character in hand requires to be carried about in any considerable quantity.

To the accomplishement of this object said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawing and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such. disclosed means-constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawin": Figure l is a side elevation of an automobile or motor car showing the manner of disposition thereon of a tank of the character in hand; Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view with parts broken away to reveal more particularly the construction of such tank; Fig. 3 is a transverse cross section of a portion of the tank showing one of the details of its structure; and

Fig. 4 is a transverse cross section of the tank as a whole.

Having reference now to the several figures just described, the tank A there shown will be seen to be of oblong'rectangular form and is referably constructed, so far as its outer s ell is concerned, out of sheet metal in the usual fashion. Interiorly the receptacle, thus provided, is divided into a lurality ofcompartments a by means of ongitudinally and transversely disposed imperforate walls or partitions a extending the entire de th of the tank. The up or edges of the wa ls or partitions a 'ust re erred to, Figs. 2 and 3, are split lengthwise or formed double so as to provide a deep groove (1, the

function of which will presently appear.

To close the tank, when in use, a lid or cover A, that is conveniently attached by hinges a to one side of the tank wall, is employed. This lid A is provided peripherally with a tight fitting flange a and interiorly with shallow projecting ribs a disposed to register, when the cover is closed, in the grooves a provided as aforesaid in the upper edges of the partitions a. These grooves, as

also the lateral edges of the tank,- are lined. with strips of suitable packing (not shown),

whereby when the lid is closed and so se cured, an effective joint is provided around the lateral edges both of the tank as a whole and of the several compartments therein, thus thoroughly segregating or isolating the latter, the one from the other.

To withdraw the gasolene or other fluid contents of the tank, a branched discharge pipe A is provided, its several branching arms at communicating respectively'with the series of compartments (I immediately adjacent thereto. Suitable valve mechanism a is also provided whereby such series,

consisting in the case in hand of three compartments each, may be connected one after the other with said discharge pipe, thus ermitting of the em tyin of the correspon ng compartments. t .wil be understood that my invention comprehends any other form of valve-control for thus successively emptying the respective com artments, and it will also be obvious that, i desired, by further subdivision of the branching arms of'the discharge pipe the said compartmentsmay be readi y arranged for connection singly with the discharge pipe instead of in series as shown.

The mode of eration or use of my im- To fill the tank, in other words, it is merely necessary to raise the cover or closure, such filling operation being just as expeditious, or

even more easily effected, than with the ordinary type ,of tank. After thetank is filled, however, and the cover safely secured in its closed position, the contents of the respective compartments, it will be evident,

are absolutely separated from each other, and, even in withdrawing the contents of the tank, connection through the discharge ipe is never had between more than three 0 the compartments at a time. Irrespective, however, of this latter fact, the segregation of the contents of one compartment from the other will effectively prevent the spread of fire from one compartment to the other, and thus, even should the contents of one compartment become ignited, the ensuing explosion will be thus confined to said sin le compartment and the harmful effects he greatly minimized.

A-tank of the same general form as that here shown for illustrative pur oses in connection with an automobile, W1 1 be e ually adaptable for use in a launch. It will also be evident that it would be merely a matter of design to provide a cylindrical tank similarly composed of isolated compartments, with the accomplishment of the same desirable results noted above. I further contemplate the possibility of not merely thus separating the tank into compartments in the manner described, but of spacing such compartments or series of compartments, thus acilitating the disposition of the load of fuel in the cramped quarters available in gasolene-driven launches and the like. An increased measure of safety from any general explosion of the store of fuel will at the same time be secured.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may e em loyed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism. herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. A receptacle for liquids of the character described, comprising a chamber made 'up of a plurality of separate non-communicating open compartments, a common closure for said receptacle adapted to independently seal said compartments, and means for individually draining said compartments, substantially as set forth.

2. A receptacle for liquids of the character described, comprising a chamber made up of a plurality of separate non-communicating compartments, the upper ends of said compartments opening freely, a closure for said receptacle adapted to simultaneously seal the upper ends of the respective compartments and isolate the contents thereof and independent discharge means for said compartments.

3. A receptacle for liquids of the character described, comprising a tank, imperforate partition Walls dividing said tank into a plurality of separate non-communicating compartments having their upper endsopening freely, acover for said tank adapted to effectively close the same and provided with means adapted to register with said partition Walls to simultaneously seal the upper ends of the respective compartments and isolate the contents thereof, and a discharge pipe having independent connection with said compartments.

4. A receptacle for liquids of the character described, comprising a tank, imperforate partition walls dividing said tank into a plurality of separate non-co1nn1unicating coinpartments having their upper ends opening freely, the upper edges of and walls being longitudinally grooved, and a cover for said tank adapted to effectively close the same,

said cover being provided with projecting ribs adapted to register in the grooves in said partition Walls and when so registering to seal the upper ends of the respective compartments and isolate the contents thereof.

5. A receptacle for liquids of the character described, comprising a tank, imperforate partition Walls dividing said tank into a plurality of separate non-communicating compartments having their upper ends opening freely, the upper edges of said walls being longitudinally grooved, a cover for said tank adapted-to effectively close the same, said cover being provided with projecting ribs adapted to register in the grooves in said partition Walls, and when so registering, to seal the upper ends of the respective compartments and isolate the contents thereof, and a discharge pipe having independent connections with said compartments.

Signed by me this 16th day of October,

ALBERT A. AUGUSTUS. Attest-ed by:

E. R. Rom), JNo. F. OBERLIN. 

